Remember 'toys And Sports' In Joel Street At The Top Great Shop Great Memories, All Those Airfix Kits/Dinky/Corgi/Matchbox/Bandai Tinplate And Original Hot Wheels Model Cars

'Toys and Sports'......Yes, I remember it very well; I worked there (2/6p per hour) as a 'Saturday Boy' from when I was about 14 to about 17 (1963 - 1966)and got on really well with Betty Wally (who originally worked at 'Soman Sports' in Northwood, near the Met Line Station), who ran the shop with her brother (I bought my first car from him, a black 1953 Hillman Minx, Reg. No. NLD 771 for £36). Betty in fact allowed me to borrow the company transport (a grey Standard 8 van) when I was learning to drive, as my father wouldn't let me use our family car to learn on....she had an ulterior motive of course, as I got to deliver/collect toys etc for the shop!....but she trusted me absolutely, and I never forgot that! I really enjoyed working there as model aircraft was my passion then and I could buy balsa wood/glue etc. I would repair the 'Scalectrix' cars that customers brought in damaged. We had some notable local customers, one being the script writer, Johnney Speight, who wrote (amongst other things), 'Til Death Us Do Part'. I also remember Dick Van Dyke coming in to buy some squash balls....I didn't recognise him at first! One of the 'Saturday Girls' was Jenny (her father was a pilot, if I remember correctly)....I went out with her best friend Vivian when I got my first scooter (a blue Lambretta Li 125, which I re-sprayed black and grey...with lots of mirrors!)
After my stint at 'Toys and Sports' I worked at 'The Case is Altered' part time whilst I was waiting to go into the Merchant Navy as an Engineer Cadet in 1968.
I initially lived in Northwood, but moved to Pinner in 1962 and went to Emmanuel School (Northwood), Pinner Road School (Mr.Green was Head Master at the time....and I do remember Miss Rudkin!) then St. Nicholas Grammar School, leaving there in 1967. My good friend, Colin Swales (now in the USA) worked in the dry cleaners next door to 'Toys and Sports' as a 'Saturday Boy'.....I believe that that business is still there (?), which is quite remarkable. His brother Mike (now in France), worked in an Estate Agents in Northwood Hills....I can't recall which one. In those days getting a 'Saturday Job' was relatively easy and provided money for petrol for scooters and cars, going out on a Saturday evening......and 'Juicy Fruit' chewing gum!
I can also remember the dreadful smogs that blighted the London area in the early 50s....particularly the roundabout at the junction of Joel Street/Pinner Road, near the Rex Cinema. One day, it was shrouded in a thick 'yellow pea souper' smog and had paraffin flares around the edge to guide the buses around the circus!
Happy Days! If only I'd spent my hard earned 2/6p per hour (that's 12.5p/hour) on Corgi Toys and never opened the boxes so they stayed pristine....worth a fortune now! My Corgi 'Yellow Submarine' would be worth a lot now in perfect condition.....I think my daughter has it somewhere at home?
Tim Deacon (now 68....soon to be 69), Romsey, Hampshire

I remember the toy shop well. Often used to spend happy times there. A friend of the family, Arthur Legg used to own the garage at the junction of Joel Street and Tolcarne Drive, the turning on the left, looking the opposite way from this photograph. I was born in Harlyn Drive, Northwood Hills, then lived in Pinner until I went to college in 1966. I remember Mr Baggs from Pinner Road school really well as he was my Uncle Arthur. (My mother's (Muriel Aylward) brother. (She taught at Newnham Primary School Eastcote for many years.) For many years he drove a maroon or was it red, Messerschmidt bubble car. He lived in Cranbourne Road and we used to visit regularly. He died some years ago after he retired to The Chase in Eastcote. I am now 71 years old and have lived in Thailand for many years. It is amazing to be able to reflect on such happy times we had as youngsters through the wonders of the web :-)

I was born in a nursing home in Ruislip in 1948 but we lived in Malmsbury close Northwood Hills . Till 1953 . When we moved to Eastcote .I remember St Vincent’s hospital not far from us . The Woodman pub . I went to Coteford infants school for a short time . Lovely times .